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Have it your way, I would never let a "pro" install one on my vehicle. The workers don't get paid enough and they probably aren't trained enough to do expert level work. The last thing I want is to have my car tied up for days not being able to start because the wiring was done poorly.
So you're speaking of tens of thousands of installers, at all levels, all over the country? Or are you so presumptuous as to speak of every mobile installer in the entire world? And you know that NONE of them get paid or are trained well enough to do quality work?
Anytime someone speaks of an entire industry as you have, it's ridiculous.
So you're speaking of tens of thousands of installers, at all levels, all over the country? Or are you so presumptuous as to speak of every mobile installer in the entire world? And you know that NONE of them get paid or are trained well enough to do quality work?
Anytime someone speaks of an entire industry as you have, it's ridiculous.
You're not going to convince me any which way. I do my own work, I prefer it that way. I like to know from personal experience that everything is done right.
If you haven't done a bunch of alarms before, dont make your first one a remote start. They are generally a more complex type of install. Tapping into the tach line, the brake lights, etc.
As far as having the 22 year old kid at best buy install it, i may agree, i wouldn't do it. However to overgeneralize the whole industry is silly. I have a friend that works at an independent stereo shop (who did my smart start years ago), you would be blown away b the stuff they do and how clean it is.
They usually do 5k systems in 50k cars for basketball players, but will do whatever you bring them.
Also remember, any car with a computer chip in the key, is an aded pita to get the smart start to work on. Im not sure about a 2002 van, but i know most cars/trucks people wanted to steal, by 2000 had computer chip keys.
Also remember, any car with a computer chip in the key, is an aded pita to get the smart start to work on.
Not at all, modules are available for that. My Mopar setup came with a coil that's installed around the ignition switch which gets programmed using both keys and is permanently tied to the car.
Not at all, modules are available for that. My Mopar setup came with a coil that's installed around the ignition switch which gets programmed using both keys and is permanently tied to the car.
Some are more difficult than others, and lower production vehicles don't always get the best attention from the remote starter manufacturers. My car was out for two years before there were any modules available for it. So we had to engineer a solution, and it took some work.
You're not going to convince me any which way. I do my own work, I prefer it that way. I like to know from personal experience that everything is done right.
The one thing I *never* farm out is automotive electrical work. Very few "techs" really know electricity the way a guy with a Physics degree and Navy Nuclear experience does.
They also almost always go with "quickie" dodge techniques like "Scotch-lok" connectors that are no where near as good as my solder and heat shrink connections.
I probably take 3-5X the time that a stereo shop would, and if I paid myself what I get at work I would probably cost 10X what a "pro" install would.
Know what? I simply don't care. Steak costs more than hamburger. I hate buggered wiring and so I DIY.
The one thing I *never* farm out is automotive electrical work. Very few "techs" really know electricity the way a guy with a Physics degree and Navy Nuclear experience does.
They also almost always go with "quickie" dodge techniques like "Scotch-lok" connectors that are no where near as good as my solder and heat shrink connections.
I probably take 3-5X the time that a stereo shop would, and if I paid myself what I get at work I would probably cost 10X what a "pro" install would.
Know what? I simply don't care. Steak costs more than hamburger. I hate buggered wiring and so I DIY.
Exactly. I don't want to come outside to flames licking out of the windows of my vehicle and not knowing in the slightest why. Scotch-loks were exactly what I was thinking of but I can never remember the name.
If anyone were to do my wiring it would be no less than a commercial electrician... since that is ridiculous, I do it. And like you said it takes a long time but well worth it. I could never do it for a living because no one would pay the labor costs! In addition to spending hours on the simplest wiring job I diagram all of my work and keep it on file, it makes troubleshooting a breeze.
Anyways, the answer to the OP is find a good local stereo shop that can show you some work they are working on and will stand behind what they do. If it looks like a wreck, walk away. if they seem to have some pride in what they do, the way the shop looks, etc. Then talk price and how long they will stand behind it. DEI as made by someone else, is a good recommendation for product/brand.
My parents use theirs' often. They want the inside of the car heated / cooled a bit before they get in. And they believe that cars need at least a few minutes to warm before driving them. Me, I'm not that picky about my comfort and don't think cars need to be warmed up very much as long as you don't race your car right after driving them. I see no point in a remote car starter and it just seems like a way waste gasoline.
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